JJ Litter Police/Narcotics Temperament Test Results

Mr. Blue went to southern Colorado for Search & Rescue; Mr. Green stayed here in Sheridan to train for Search & Rescue; Mr. Sparkle went to Utah for Search & Rescue; Mr. Red went to northern Colorado for obedience, herding, tracking and agility competition and to be a therapy dog; and I kept Miss Purple for breeding, nose work and agility competition and therapy dog work.

Miss Pink is available to a working home, preferably where she will use her nose (Search & Rescue, tracking, nosework, etc., because she LOVES to use it.)

My good friend, Suzan Guilford, came to do the police/narcotics test. She is a former K9 handler and police officer, former police chief, and has taught at the Wyoming Police Academy. She has done my temperament tests for over sixteen years, except for a two year absence while she was working in Florida. Suzan and I over the years have incorporated most of the SAR exercises into her testing, in case Janet can’t come do the SAR testing. Both SAR testers, Janet & Bonnie, observed and scored the pups as Suzan tested them. Their ratings and comments appear at the end.

The main difference I see between the police/narcotics test and the SAR test is the attitude of the tester. In the police test, the tester is very quiet, talking little and using very little body movements. No other people are present and the environment is kept quiet. In the SAR test, the tester (often two do the test together) is somewhat more enthusiastic, uses some verbal praise and body movements to get the pup “up” and gives praise. Other people are sometimes present to watch, though they are asked to be as quiet as possible. This would fit well with the ultimate purpose of the dogs being tested for both types of training. In police work the dog must be able to dig down deep inside himself or herself to find the courage and aggression to confront a criminal and/or to search independently and at great distance from the handler. In SAR the handler is usually closer to the dog and is able to praise and encourage him, especially in extended searches. There is also generally all kinds of activity and distraction at a search scene so the dog must be able to filter out the extraneous activity and focus on her job. Both tests are fascinating to watch as is the difference in the pups’ responses in each test.

We were at a disadvantage at this test as Suzan had a conflict on Saturday so the SAR people did their test the first day instead of the second day. They are much more upbeat and stimulating while testing so we like to do their test after the police/narcotics test. We also, it being winter, had to use the same building, so everything was familiar and we definitely got a “been there, done that” reaction from some of the pups, especially Miss Pink, and they often didn’t interact as enthusiastically as the day before. Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. At the bottom, test results are listed for Soleil (mother), Chaos & Lively (maternal grandparents) and Lively’s mother & grandmother (maternal great-grandmother and great-great grandmother).

1.Acceptance/Attachment The first test involves evaluating the pup’s acceptance of the strange place and its willingness to interact with the stranger. Ideal reaction is eye contact and interest in the stranger but no sign of nervousness in the interaction (we don’t want a “Protect me!” attitude), followed by visual investigation of the surroundings and then a return of attention to the tester.

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

excellent

recognized me right away

Green Male

excellent

great eye contact within 2 seconds; licks!

Pink Female

excellent

great eye contact & licks right away

Purple Female

excellent

right away

Red Male

excellent

recognized me right away & licked

Sparkle Male

high excellent

very nice

White Male

average

never made eye contact

2. Pain Sensitivity The loose skin over the ribs is gently pinched and the pup’s reaction is noted. Ideal reaction is to notice the pinch but be unconcerned by it. We also look for a willingness to forgive the tester.

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

excellent

nice reaction

Green Male

excellent

good reaction

Pink Female

Above average

very good

Purple Female

excellent

good

Red Male

low excellent

Sparkle Male

excellent

good reaction

White Male

average

good

3. Retrieve Next, willingness to retrieve is evaluated using different toys: a stuffed toy, and a tennis ball. Ideal reaction is to repeatedly being the toy back to the handler rather than moving off to “possess” it. The type of bite on the toys is evaluated: a full mouth bite shows more confidence and drive than a front-teeth-only bite.

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

minimal

liked the chasing; brought Frisbee back once

Green Male ball

above average

liked to chase objects

Green Male toy

high average

brought some back

Pink Female

high minimal

liked chasing but no retrieve

Purple Female

high minimal

chased but no retrieve

Red Male

minimal

liked to chase

Sparkle Male

high minimal

chased ball but no retrieve; more interest in Frisbee

White Male

low average

would follow but not bring back

4. Perseverance Then perseverance is evaluated by seeing how enthusiastically they will pursue, grab hold, and tug on a sack. Ideal reaction is to pursue enthusiastically, grasp with a full mouth bite, tug and do everything possible to posses the sack. We like to see a pup get its whole body on the sack in an effort to subdue it.

liked the soft toy & rope; used full body to pull but not full mouth bite

White Male

above average

liked to chase; minimal bite

5. Fear A metal can filled with metal items (horseshoes, nails, bolts, etc.) is dropped behind them from a height of about 2 feet while they are looking away from it. Will the pup hold its ground and then go look at what dropped from nowhere? Excellent reaction is to acknowledge and turn towards the sound and then confidently go see what made the racket.The tester encourages the pup to investigate, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed. I find most of my pups look towards the racket and keep on playing with the toy they had, rather than stopping their play to go investigate.

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

excellent

no reaction except to look; put head in can

Green Male

excellent

no big reaction

Pink Female

average

good reaction

Purple Female

excellent

checked it out prior to noise & then no reaction except to look at it when it dropped

Red Male

high above average

good; circled around me & checked the can

Sparkle Male

excellent

looked up; continued to do what he was doing

White Male

average

OK; stood distance

6. Courage and Aggression Courage and aggression is evaluated using an electric train that when turned on moves erratically, whistles loudly, clanks, etc. Will they stand their ground? Will they go investigate it? Excellent reaction is to go to the moving, clanking train and check it out. Extremely excellent reaction is to actually attack it while it moves. Good reaction is to investigate it after the tester turns it off. The tester encourages the pup to investigate after it is turned off, if it wouldn’t while it was “whistling” and moving. She notes how much encouragement is needed.

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

excellent

good – went & sniffed train

Green Male

above average

did well

Pink Female

above average

OK – stepped forward, circled around and interested

Purple Female

excellent

went up to train & sniffed it – walked around it and then back again

Red Male

high above average

good; circled around me & checked the train

Sparkle Male

excellent

went to train & looked; after it was off he spent a lot of time sniffing it.

White Male

average

came to train before turned on

7. Surprise The last test involves getting the pup to chase you (or a toy) towards a place with a hidden person, from behind which an umbrella is opened suddenly and then lowered to the ground, still open. The pups are evaluated on how they recover from being startled and if they’ll go investigate. Ideal reaction is for the pup to startle but hold its ground, then move right up to check out the umbrella. A super excellent reaction is to go up and bite it and/or walk all over it.The tester encourages the pup to investigate after the umbrella is on the top step, if it doesn’t on its own. She notes how much encouragement is needed.

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

excellent

went up & looked

Green Male

above average

good; noticed & stood ground

Pink Female

above average

OK – some reaction but later encouraged to visit it

Purple Female

excellent

nice; stood ground & then looked at it when encouraged; no problem

Red Male

low excellent

OK, came & explored

Sparkle Male

excellent

very good – looked but kept on pulling his soft toy

White Male

average

good – looked at; nothing too much negative or positive

Search And Rescue Tests

Submission Test The submission test is designed to give an idea of the pup’s tractability, trust in humans, and willingness to submit to a human’s directives. In the submission test the pup is held firmly on its back for a short period of time. The tester counts the seconds it takes for him to resist, then accept, the restraint. She should not passively accept the restraint, nor should she panic or show avoidance of eye contact. Ideal reaction is to resist, then submit and look the tester in the face. We also look for a willingness to forgive the tester.

Unstable Footing Since SAR dogs will search in all kinds of terrain and areas of destruction, they must be confident in insecure situations. We used boards and carpet pieces. ALL PUPS RATED EXCELLENT.

Hunt for FoodI This test begins with a piece of jerky tied on a string and dragged to attract the pup’s interest and see how interested it is, how hard it will work to get it, and how hard it will work to keep it as the tester jerks, tugs and generally prevents the pup from easily eating it. She then entices the pup to follow it to the area where she has hidden food (test 2).

Pup

Rating

Additional Observations

Blue Male

excellent

nice

Green Male

low excellent

getting the scent & was good

Pink Female

above average

very nice

Purple Female

excellent

good – grabbed food right away

Red Male

excellent

slower & methodical

Sparkle Male

excellent

good; grabbed hold of it right away

White Male

low excellent

very nice!

Hunt for Food II Suzan hid treats in the middle of the room. The pups had to use their noses to find where the treats were. They were judged on how they followed her direction for where to search and how systematic their searching was.

For interest, I include the puppies’ parents, grandparent’s and great-grandparent’s temperament test results below. All three of these tests were done by Suzan, former police K9 handler, except for Lively’s & Quinta’s SAR tests, done by Janet Wilts.

Soleil’s Temperament Tests (mother of this litter)

Attachment: Average OK. No good eye contact but did lick me after 10 seconds

Confidence: Above Average Good – no struggle or problem

Sensitivity: Above Average OK. Looked at hand, no problem

Retrieve: Average on both Liked to check it out, stop & lie down with both

ball & toy ball and toy.

Perseverance: Above Average Liked the tug of war.

Fear: Above Average Good. No big reaction.

Aggression & Courage: Average Nice. Stayed at a distance to watch & then came up to look when encouraged. (toy used was an electric train that when turned on moved erratically, whistled loudly, clanked, etc.)

Surprise: Minimal Ran away & stopped. Looked back and returned when encouraged verbally.

Submission: Average Struggled for 30 seconds & never gave eye contact.

Tester Comments: Nice pup – very solid and courageous. Has a good bit, full mouthed with toys and pull toy. Nice reaction to train and umbrella. Gets along with other dogs well (met her dogs afterwards). Good nose – found food easily and liked looking for it, followed direction of handler. Nicely encouraged. Great little boy!

Lively’s Temperament Tests (maternal grandmother of this litter)

Search And Rescue Test by Janet Wilts, done at 52 & 53 days of age

Rated SAR & Schutzhund prospect (10 is top score)

Saturday: 9 – 10 Confident, good prey

Sunday: 10 Good noise, good eye contact, good prey, good tug

The Police Dog/Narcotics Dog Temperament Test, done at 54 days

Since Janet can seldom come to test my pups, Suzan and I over the years have incorporated most of the SAR exercises into our testing. This was especially nice this time because Janet was unable to do her regular tests due to the weather.

Hunt for Food Excellent Great. Not intimidated, willing to go the distance

Tester Comments: Full of “Reckless Abandonment.” Fantastic. Good full mouth bite. Drug on blanket (perseverance test). Cel’s note: What Suzan is referring to is that she had her whole body on the blanket and stayed there while Suzan drug her all around.)

The Q Litter was tested on October 30th & 31st, when they were 46 & 47 days old. Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. An extensive Search & Rescue test was done on the 30th, with some retesting on the 31st after the police/narcotics test, if the SAR tester (Janet) hadn’t been satisfied with the pup’s reactions the day before. For the SAR test, we took the pups to a rural schoolyard which had a very large grassy field. Heavy rain the day before made the field too soggy for the entire test, so most of the exercises were done in the playground area which is deep in wood chips. The chips proved to be way too highly tempting to the pups and Janet had to clear their mouths often to get them to go after the toys rather than the chips. Results are listed after the description of each part of the Test. You will note that some exercises are done in both tests and other exercises are unique to one test or the other. Janet was the primary tester, with Kelly, another SAR person, adding her ratings on some tests. A table with scores from every phase of the test is listed after the test explanation. Pups reactions are rated on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being excellent.

Temperament Test 1: the Search & Rescue test

Tug, Prey Drive, Chase, Retrieve Drive, Bite The first series of tests involve the pup’s desire to play, chase the toy, how well the pup bites and hold the toy when he or she gets it, and whether the pup will bring it back to the tester.

Strange Noise, Unstable Surface The pups are exposed to both a strange, potentially scary noise and an unstable surface. In this particular test we used a plastic tarp draped over a camp chair. Janet also invented some additional tests by asking the pups to negotiate a metal grating on the playground equipment, to climb a series of wood sections that ended with a widow and a 6’ drop to the ground. Janet tested the pups’ trust by handing them down to a helper and noting their reactions.

Hunt for Food and Hunt for Toys The pups are tested to determine their desire to find the toy when it’s hidden, and to find food. The toy was hidden under the tarp and the pup encouraged to look for it. A piece of bacon on a string was drug and bounced past the pups to testtheir desire to use their noses when they couldn’t see the bacon. Janet took off fast with the bacon drag and ran way out into the field behind the school. Quinta was one of only three pups that noticed this first run; Janet had to repeat it twice more to give all pups a chance to be tested. It is fascinating to see those little noses go to the ground and guide the galloping pups after Janet when she outruns them.

Submission, Forgiveness, Socialability The pups are graded on their desire to interact with and play with the tester. For the submission test, each pup was placed on its back and held down firmly for about 10 seconds. Desirable reaction includes struggle followed by acceptance. Undesirable reactions include total passivity or frantic struggle with refusal to “give” to the human, or trying to bite. The pup is judged afterwards on its willingness to forgive the tester for the submission test. The pup is also held in the air at arms length to judge its confidence in being unsupported.

Confidence Janet also invented some additional tests by asking the pups to negotiate a metal grating on the playground equipment, to climb a series of wood sections that ended with a widow and a 6’ drop to the ground. Janet then further tested the pups’ trust and confidence by handing them down to a helper and noting their reactions.

Test Results

Test Janet’s Rating Kelly’s Rating

Tug 10+, really grips 10

Prey 10 10

Retrieve 5 6

Unstable Surface 10 10

Forgiveness 8 10

Socilability 10 10

Chase 10 10

Hunt for Food 10

Hunt for Toy no

Noise 10 10

Submission 8 8

Bite 10 10

Trust Good

Temperament Test 2: The police dog/narcotics dog test

Saturday had been a beautiful day, but Sunday brought a storm with wind and rain mixed with snow. We had to do the test in a large unheated garage. The police test is quite different from the Search & Rescue Test. The main difference I noticed in the SAR test was that the testers played with the pups at the same time, and evaluated them for all of the above as they played with them. They were also much more physically active and used excited voices and clapping to encourage the pups, while the tester in the police test is very calm and low key, asking the pups to draw the excitement forth from within themselves. Another difference was that other people stood around just feet from and in full view of each pup as it was tested. In the police test only the tester is within sight or scent of the pup during the testing and everyone was required to be very quiet.

Suzan was the main tester, with Janet hiding to open the umbrella on the surprise test. Janet also gave ratings on some of the test. Her ratings are listed in italics after Suzan’s. She used the SAR scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being excellent.

1. Acceptance/Attachment

Excellent 8

2. Pain Sensitivity

Excellent

3. Retrieve

High Average 5

4. Unstable Surfaces

Excellent 10

5. Perseverance

Excellent Tug: 10 Prey: 10

6. Courage and Aggression

Above Average 10

7. Fear

Excellent 10

8. Surprise

Excellent 10

9. Submission, Forgiveness, Social Same as SAR tests.

Above Average Forgiveness: medium Social: 8

Tester Comments

Very nice, independent pup. For the most part, full bites & lots of interest. Puts full body into what she is doing. Very curious and friendly.

The NuVet people had tried to recruit me for their breeder program for several years but it wasn’t until I was getting frustrated at my inability to get a soft, shiny coat on Quasi that I decided to try their products. I finally told the NuVet people I would never recommend any product without trying it first, and that I’d like to try their NuVet Plus on Quasi. They sent a free two-month supply and at the end of the trial period I was seeing enough improvement that I signed up for their breeder program. [READ MORE]